After finishing the call with Lin Zeping, Luo Ziling showed a satisfied smile.
Wuyue glanced at him twice through the rearview mirror but didn’t ask anything.
On the way back, Luo Ziling stopped by the supermarket to buy some groceries, planning to cook dinner at home.
After buying the groceries, he called Luo Liansheng to invite his grandfather to come home for dinner.
Luo Liansheng initially intended to eat at school, but upon hearing Luo Ziling was cooking dinner, he agreed to come home to eat.
After returning home with the groceries, Luo Ziling began preparing dinner.
Just as he finished cooking the first dish, Ling Ruonan returned.
Seeing Luo Ziling busy alone in the kitchen, Ling Ruonan tossed her bag aside, quickly changed clothes, and came to help.
"Mom, Lin Zeping called me just now. He talked about the interview from the other day and praised me a lot. He hopes I can visit him someday to talk about traditional culture and medicine. He also mentioned that he would arrange for some experts to join the discussion." Luo Ziling started talking about it first.
Ling Ruonan paused for a moment.
"How did you respond?" Ling Ruonan tidied up her disheveled hair in front of her forehead and curiously asked Luo Ziling.
"I agreed!"
Ling Ruonan didn’t ask further about Lin Zeping, and after a brief silence, she inquired about the conversation Luo Ziling had with Wang Zhengqiang today.
Luo Ziling didn’t conceal anything and truthfully recounted it.
After speaking, he also asked Ling Ruonan about her conversation with Wang Zhengqiang.
"He hopes our Ling Family can help him upend Lin Zeping’s position. If we do, he will give us significant returns." Ling Ruonan smiled wryly and said softly, "Actually, what he told you is similar, only he told me more directly."
"Did you agree?" Luo Ziling was quite curious.
"No!" Ling Ruonan shook her head, "How could I agree to such a thing? Even if willing to help, it’s impossible to agree after just one mention. Moreover, even if agreeing, it wouldn’t be so explicit."
"Mom, you have more experience handling such matters than I do." Luo Ziling gave Ling Ruonan a thumbs-up while continuing to cook, "When I visited Li Haiyang today, he also spoke to me about these issues."
"What did he say?" Ling Ruonan became even more curious, "Why would he talk to you about these things?"
"I don’t know either, maybe he’s concerned about us!" Luo Ziling roughly described what Li Haiyang said today.
"What he said is quite correct. Maintaining the current balance and letting others grow before assuming positions is the best outcome." Ling Ruonan lightly nodded, "The struggle between Lin Zeping and Wang Zhengqiang actually benefits everyone. Whether it’s the Ling Family, the Yang Family, the Fang Family, or the Chen Family, they all would like to see them fight. The worst situation is if they join forces."
Luo Ziling nodded, understanding Ling Ruonan’s point.
"Now, Wang Zhengqiang gives special attention to us, which many people know about. Wang Zhengqiang’s daughter working by your side can’t be hidden from them. Lin Zeping’s son had a conflict with you, which is also widely known in this circle." Ling Ruonan chuckled, "I suppose Lin Zeping is worried that the whole Ling Family might support Wang Zhengqiang, hence his anxiety."
"That’s a good thing, let them strive for us. We can gain benefits amid their efforts and disputes." Luo Ziling chuckled.
"What do you think is the best outcome?" Ling Ruonan asked Luo Ziling.
Without much thought, Luo Ziling replied, "I think the best result is for Lin Zeping and Wang Zhengqiang to remain in their positions, but Lin Zeping’s power gets diminished, and he stops meddling in certain affairs, increasing Wang Zhengqiang’s influence. When Grandpa and others retire, we can influence the selection issue. That way, we can maximize our benefits."
"You little brat, you think quite long-term!" Ling Ruonan laughed, very cheerfully.
"Mom, maybe someday you can join this small circle."
These words of Luo Ziling made Ling Ruonan pause, halting her smile.
"It’s not that easy." Ling Ruonan shook her head, "Also, being in that position would be too stressful, I haven’t thought that far ahead."
"Mom, let’s work hard together. If you do attain that position, no one would dare bully us, at least not as brazenly as now." Luo Ziling said mysteriously, "If you rise up, you can topple Ling Zhengping’s position and deny him the opportunity. That way, you’ll represent the Ling Family."
Ling Ruonan looked at Luo Ziling in astonishment, not expecting such words from him. But she still shook her head, indicating that such a possibility was unlikely, as neither Ling Jinhua nor Ling Mingrui would accept such a thing happening.
"Mom, anyway, you have to keep striving, aiming to make history for women in politics." Luo Ziling continued to motivate Ling Ruonan.
When dinner was ready, Luo Liansheng returned.
As the three sat down for dinner, they talked about the recent events.
Luo Liansheng asked about the female journalist incident, and Luo Ziling truthfully recounted it.
"It appears that Yang Qingye has been brainwashed by Yang Yunlin." Luo Liansheng chuckled, "He used to admire Ziling, but now he’s dissatisfied and wants to challenge Ziling. It’s good for them to spar, preventing any dissent within the Yang Family. Yang Yunlin is holding on by a thread nowadays. If his disputes with Yang Yuanshan become more pronounced and the rift widens, the Yang Family’s troubles will also grow."
"Yang Yunlin should feel more confident now, as Yang Yuanshan’s only son. He feels what Yang Yuanshan has can only be given to him. Now Yang Qingye also listens to him, so he’s not worried about being bypassed for nurturing the grandson instead. Thus, his confidence grows, and he’s even less likely to heed Yang Yuanshan." Ling Ruonan sneered, "I bet Yang Yunlin and his son, Yang Qingye, will make another big move against us, which even Yang Yuanshan can’t stop!"
"It then depends on how Yang Yuanshan punishes his son and grandson," Luo Liansheng cheerfully said, "Among these families, Fang Zhonghua is the most mature, while others have conflicts with their fathers. In the future, Fang Zhonghua might have better prospects."
Ling Ruonan gently replied, "Fang Zhonghua indeed does the best, and he’s the most capable. Among them all, he’s the youngest. Although his current status is a bit lower, I also think he has the brightest future. Neither Ling Zhengping, Yang Yunlin, Chen Yining, nor Chen Yijing can compare to him."
"The drama in Yanjing is getting more exciting." Luo Liansheng continued laughing, "You guys need to be vigilant and see things clearly, avoiding rash betting and investing. Try to ensure no major losses occur, regardless of which side you support; don’t put all your eggs in one basket."
"Dad, your advice is noted, we’ll remember it."